SUCCESSFUL CUSTOMS WORKSHOP CONCLUDES

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000246 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/ARP, NEA/PI COMMERCE FOR CLDP MTALAAT AND ITA COBERG ABU DHABI FOR MHOPKINS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON ETRD PREL MU SUBJECT: SUCCESSFUL CUSTOMS WORKSHOP CONCLUDES ¶1. The U.S. Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP),in association with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP),staged a successful MEPI-funded U.S.-Oman Free Trade Agreement (FTA) workshop for customs officials from the Royal Oman Police (ROP). The workshop, part of a technical assistance program designed to assist customs officials in better understanding their obligations in advance of implementation of the FTA, ran from March 3-7 in Muscat. Twenty-five participants attended the event, which focused on issues related to advance rulings, rules of origin requirements, administration of claims, and express delivery shipments. ¶2. In his welcoming remarks to participants, the Ambassador highlighted the importance of streamlined, transparent customs procedures in promoting bilateral trade between Oman and the U.S. He also underscored the collaborative efforts underway between the USG and the ROP's customs division in promoting the security of global trade, including Oman's participation in the Container Security Initiative, the Megaports Initiative, and other export-related border security efforts. ¶3. Comment: The workshop was well-received by the ROP and provided a much-needed baseline for Omani officials in addressing the changes that will need to be made in order to meet FTA requirements. Embassy supports additional training opportunities for Omani customs officials, to include a possible rules of origin workshop pertaining to textiles and a program for officials to visit CBP facilities in the United States. End Comment. GRAPPO